As City Council hears tonight from a list of nearly 120 speakers on a contentious LGBT non-discrimination ordinance proposal, anti-LGBT activists are confronting transgender people attempting to use Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center bathrooms.

LGBT community advocates with the Charlotte Non-Discrimination Ordinance Coalition said Monday morning they are expecting a tight vote on LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinances. They remain confident, however, that the ordinances will pass.

As last-minute lobbying and outreach continues in advance of City Council’s Monday vote on LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinances, the debate has attracted high-profile and notable statements of support and opposition from leading business people, organizations and political parties in the city.

Proposals that would add protections for the LGBT community, among others, to four city non-discrimination ordinances have split residents and advocates in Charlotte, as last-minute lobbying floods elected officials’ email inboxes, opponents launch radio ads and robocalls and local mainstream media pick up their coverage on the issue.

The city’s fire department announced the immediate retirement of a deputy fire chief on Friday, following questions on the official’s spending and social media comments some had criticized as offensive and transphobic.

While LGBTQ Charlotteans and their allies were quite understandably outraged by Dulin’s actions, they should not be heartened the Department’s. They should instead be worried about and critical of them.

Larry Kramer’s iconic autobiographical play, “The Normal Heart,” has been gracing stages for 30 years. Off Broadway performances, a short run on Broadway and last May’s HBO film adaptation — the screenplay adapted by Kramer himself — have all given the play a cult following and garnered it Tony and Emmy awards.

It might be a few more weeks before we completely start the warm-up toward our beautiful Carolina springtime, but local LGBT community members won’t be suffering from the doldrums when it comes to their social calendars.

Popular local drag star Roxy C. Moorecox has had her fair share of the spotlight. Performing annual at local and regional Pride events, emceeing at community events and even traveling across the nation and to the U.K., Roxy, local performer Clay Smith’s alter ego, has seen and done just about all.

Charlotte is a beautiful place to live, to work, to raise a family and to pursue opportunities in education and business. But, for some, discrimination and prejudice stand in the way of full opportunity.

Charlotte LGBT Protections

On Stands Now

QNotes is ready for spring and all the fine arts and entertainment that will come with it. Take a look through our Spring A&E Guide, with theatre listings, events, concerts and more, plus our cover story with local performer Tyler Smith. Also: local, regional and national news of note.